Notice of Intent - The USDA, ARS, SEA, intends to award a sole source procurement to Uster Technologies, Knoxville, TN 37919-6106 as they are the sole source for this type high throughput phenotyping equipment pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy agency Requirements. The award will be for HVI (High Volume Instrument) for measuring cotton fiber properties.

Specific Requirements: The equipment must include (but not limited) Measurement of fiber mean length, upper half mean length, uniformity, short fiber by way of optical measurement; Measurement of fiber strength by way measuring force required to break; Measurement of fiber elongation by way of measuring the length or distance to which fibers extend before breaking; Measurement of moisture in fiber beard by way of a resistance method; Measurement of fiber color by way of optical camera to determine the lightness (Rd) and yellowness (+b); Color grade calculated from these values and reported; Measurement of trash by automated video image to determine visible leaf or trash in cotton reporting trash area, trash count, leaf grade; Measurement of the air flow resistance to a specific surface of fiber to determine the micronaire value; Houses all the module components of the Length/Strength Module; Houses the vacuum box and motor as well as the host computer; Houses the micronaire Module and Color/Trash Module; Houses the balance and Bar Code Reader

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about June 29, 2018. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 4:00PM central time, June 28, 2018. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Contracting Office Address: USDA-ARS
P.O. Box 225
141 Experiment Station Road
Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225

Bid Protests Not Available